Today we’d like to introduce you to Antoinette Simpson.
Hi Antoinette, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My introduction to culinary arts began in high school when I took a culinary arts course at a local vocational training school. I was intrigued by the cold foods course with how to plate salads and appetizers. The knowledge I gained there helped me land my first cooking job at the Detroit Athletic Club in 2001. During my tenor there I was surrounded by great cooks and chefs, all willing to train me with their years of experience, practice and knowledge. I worked in the garge magaer area of the main kitchen for about 6 years before my co workers began to notice my fruit platter presentation. One day a coworker asked if I did catering on the side. At that time it had never crossed my mind. Well I set up her best friends wedding reception and the table was the talk of the evening. From that moment on my business was born. I established Fantastic Fruits LLC in 2015. Learning everything I could about running a business on my own while operating at the same time. Before I knew it word of mouth spread around and I began to get orders and I mean a lot of orders. Figuring how to accept payments, book keeping, preparing for events and much more was overwhelming at times but I kept pushing through. In 2017 I was introduced to my business manager and she gave me the tools to take my business even further. I was apart of a food hub that allowed local food businesses to all have a home in one space. We sold items I store and door dash and uber eats. In 2019, I was forced to quit my job because of COVID. During that time I took some entrepreneurial courses, safe serv classes, management courses, developed a website for my company and improved my social media marketing. During the pandemic I was relentless when it came to my business. I put my all into making it the best it could be and to survive the unknown. In 2022 I received two entrepreneurs awards for raising black women businesses. Same year, I became apart of the Dloft commercial kitchen. I was apart of the planning committee and also a member of the shared space. Recently, I received a food license for my business, which is a huge accomplishment and had been a goal for many years. My next goal is to apply for programs such as motor city match to receive funding for my business. My business goal is to have a brick and mortar with a garden and green house to grow the produce that is used in my business. I would like to collaborate with the same vocational school that i attended and have students from their do a co-op or internship at the fruit store.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road of entrepreneurship has not been easy at all. Because my business is mostly seasonal from April- October. The winter months Nov-March are very hard to survive. I try to create deals or sales to stay afloat but it can get hard at times.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I create beautiful t fruits table displays, fruit platters, meat, cheese and vegetable platters. I am known for my watermelon carvings. These carvings are customized and created with a personal touch for each event. Carvings can be engraved with names, special occasion themes, logos, cartoon characters and much more. The presentation of my work is what stands out the most. It is a visual experience.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory is coloring in coloring books with my aunt. I believe there is where I tapped into my creativity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fantasticfruitsllc.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fantasticfruitsllc
